ESPN Sells First Project As Scripted Series Producer: Sports Fan Comedy To ABC

EXCLUSIVE: ESPN may have put the scripted plans for its own primetime on hold following the demise of short-lived dramas Tilt and Playmakers, but its production unit is looking to become a supplier of scripted series to other networks. ESPN has sold its first scripted project, an untitled Boston sports fan comedy from former Scrubs executive producer Bill Callahan, to ABC. The project is described as a look at the relationship between four longtime guy friends, still living in their hometown outside of Boston, who gather once a week to watch one of their beloved teams play. Callahan is writing and executive producing, with ESPN Content Development’s executive producers Vinnie Malhotra, who is shepherding the company’s current scripted efforts, and Joan Lynch also expected to produce. UTA-repped Callahan, who worked with Bill Lawrence on 2 of his series, Scrubs and Spin City, most recently served as an executive producer on USA’s Psych.